World · Latin America · 1 hr ago
Maradona’s doctor asks court to clear him in death case
Neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque’s lawyers asked a court in Argentina to acquit him in the case over football legend Diego Maradona’s 2020 death.
They argued that Maradona died from a sudden, unforeseeable heart event and that there was not enough evidence to prove Luque was negligent.
Prosecutors say Luque failed to act on warning signs while Maradona recovered from brain surgery.
Maradona died at age 60 at a rented home in Tigre, near Buenos Aires, where he was receiving care.
Seven healthcare professionals are on trial over allegations of negligence during his recovery, which lasted about two weeks.
The case matters because the defendants could face prison if convicted; prosecutors are seeking 12 years for Luque.
The defence arguments are expected to finish this week, after which the court will decide the case.
Lawyers for neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque have asked a court to clear him of criminal liability in Diego Maradona’s death.
The defence argued during closing arguments that Maradona’s death was an acute, unforeseeable cardiac event and that Luque was made a scapegoat.
Prosecutors and lawyers for Maradona’s family say the medical team was negligent and are seeking prison sentences for the defendants.
Seven members of Maradona’s medical team are on trial over his care while he recovered from brain surgery at a rented home in Tigre.
The trial began in April after an earlier trial was annulled in May 2025.
- Who
- Neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque and six other members of Maradona’s medical team are on trial.
- What
- Luque’s lawyers have asked the court to clear him of criminal liability in Maradona’s death.
- When
- Closing arguments took place on Wednesday. Maradona died in 2020.
- Where
- San Isidro, Argentina. Maradona was recovering at a rented home in Tigre, near Buenos Aires.
- Why
- Prosecutors allege the medical team provided inadequate care; the defence argues Maradona’s death was unforeseeable and Luque was not negligent.
Maradona’s medical team’s defence
Prosecutors and lawyers for Maradona’s family
Alleged negligence
Maradona’s medical team’s defence
The defence says there is insufficient evidence that Luque acted negligently or with intent.
Prosecutors and lawyers for Maradona’s family
The prosecution and family lawyers argue the medical team was negligent and provided inadequate care.
Cause and foreseeability of death
Maradona’s medical team’s defence
The defence says Maradona died from an acute, unforeseeable cardiac event.
Prosecutors and lawyers for Maradona’s family
The prosecution argues his death was foreseeable and that warning signs were not acted on.
Responsibility for home care
Maradona’s medical team’s defence
Luque’s defence says Maradona’s family agreed to his home-care arrangement and Luque was not responsible for overseeing it.
Prosecutors and lawyers for Maradona’s family
The prosecution and family lawyers say the medical team was responsible for the care provided.
Diego Maradona died while recovering from brain surgery at a rented home in Tigre.
The first trial was annulled after Judge Julieta Makintach stepped down over her involvement in a documentary about the proceedings.
The current trial of seven members of Maradona’s medical team began in San Isidro.
Lawyers for Luque presented closing arguments and asked the court to clear him.
- Defendant
- Leopoldo Luque, neurosurgeon
- Medical team on trial
- Seven members
- Maradona’s age at death
- 60
- Trial location
- San Isidro, Argentina
- Previous trial annulled
- May 2025
- Maximum potential sentence
- Up to 25 years for defendants convicted
3 sources
What people are saying
Maradona did not die from a dilated cardiomyopathy. He dies from an acute and unforeseeable cardiac event, hence there is no negligence
There was absolutely no possibility of predicting this fatal outcome
We are here to proclaim Luque's innocence, not with television slogans, but with the evidence that supports it
I cared deeply for him, I loved him, he was my idol and my friend